| MAY 2009 JOAN'S BATTLE
I’m sorry, you have breast cancer” The clinic sister broke the news to me. Only those who have heard those words can know the feelings of disbelief and devastation. It only happens to other people. That was Christmas eve 1999.
I underwent a lumpectomy and removal of lymph nodes in my arm. Then a second lumpectomy, followed by radiation, which virtually cooked me. A regime of drugs for the next five years saw me “cured”. Little did I know that the fires were still burning within.
In 2007 I began to experience severe pain and was misdiagnosed with osteoporosis. I suffered five broken ribs and a crushed vertebrae and endured excruciating pain.
In Feb 2008, I was diagnosed with bone cancer and told I had anywhere from a week to a month to live. That was when the bottom really did drop out of our world. I began to arrange my funeral. If I was going to die I wanted to go out with suitable panache.
I was very weak, couldn’t get out of bed without help. It was a special hospital type bed. I could only just walk with the aid of a cane. I was in constant pain. A velcro brace was wrapped around my upper torso to hold my ribs in place. I lost 14kg in a very short time. To add to my woes the oncologist told me the cancer had spread to my liver and stomach, it was impossible to operate and I would never go into remission. I had resigned myself to an early death but at the same time was not prepared to give up without a fight.
There must be a way out of this. I got, not just one lucky break but two. I had the good fortune to find a great holistic doctor who immediately put me in hospital for blood transfusions. The bone marrow was so depleted the blood cells could not be produced. I was so anaemic .
I needed blood every few weeks. Vitamin 'C' and an alkalising agent were recomeneded.
These treatments improved my condition and the pain was relieved with the extensive use of morphine and Endone. My diet became totally vegetarian and organic.
My second lucky break came when I was introduced to Peter and a miraculous juice. Peter had survived a serious brush with inoperable liver cancer. He was given three months to live but refused chemotherapy, much to his doctors chagrin.
Peter found the juice and cured himself.
It was such a delight to meet Peter and his lovely wife, Bernadette. His story was so inspiring; I couldn't wait to try the magic juice. I started taking a bottle a day and drinking two litres of water for 21 days.
Then back to half a bottle a day. The pain disapeared.
I was able to discontinue the morphine and Endone.
My vegetarian, organic diet is now a fixture and a way of life.
My husband Robert produced audio programmes for relaxation and visualisation, custom made for my condition.
As an artist he understands visualisation and has studied the mind for 40 years. The power of the mind is astonishing.
To visualise the body healing, and the cancer cells being eaten up by my white blood cells is a powerful tool.
This meditation requires a positive attitude. I am a very positive person but this situation really puts it to the test.
Gradually I became aware of changes within my body.
The diarrhoea that had plagued me for so long abated and I was able to absorb some days.
Then back to half anutrients from my food. My appetite slowly returned and my energy level improved dramatically.
By November my blood cells had returned to normal and I required no more transfusions. This means the bone marrow is now doing its job making blood cells. This in turn means that the bone cancer is releasing its grip.
Tests in January 2009 revealed that the bone cancer has greatly improved, that the tumors in the liver have shrunk dramatically. The January endoscope view of my stomach shows the cancer has almost disappeared. By now, (April) it would have gone. I await the next endoscope for confirmation.
March 25, 2009 The greatest news. My liver has come back to normal. No more cancer. I am putting on weight and have much energy. I continue taking half a bottle of juice a day.
I have been given a second chance. Every day is precious. This incredible recovery has been possible, only with a positive outlook and being surrounded by love of family and friends, especially my husband, Robert, a professional artist. He was not able to paint for a whole year while looking after me. It’s wonderful that we are now leading normal lives again.
For personal information from Joan - Phone:07:55988303
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